BRUCE JENKINS -- Belle and Johnson Deserve the Honors

Published 4:00 am, Wednesday, October 4, 1995

THE ENVELOPES, please, for this year's Dead Wrong in Public awards in the American League.

Most Valuable Player (voters are asked to list 10): 1. Albert Belle. We hear the cries from Boston, and they're valid. But Belle's 50-homer season has everyone, even Frank Thomas, in a state of astonishment. He's the baddest cat in the land. 2. Mo Vaughn. The Red Sox's remarkable season doesn't happen without him. 3. Jay Buhner. Hit countless big homers in Ken Griffey Jr.'s absence, and made the Mariners believe. 4. Edgar Martinez. Give this man a big postseason series on national television. 5. Tim Salmon. Beacon of strength during the Angels' collapse. 6. Eddie Murray. Wise head kept it all together in Cleveland. 7. John Valentin. The numbers don't lie. He's that good. 8. Don Mattingly. The numbers do lie. In the face of severe back pain and rampant criticism, Mattingly is the Yankees' heart and spirit. 9. Cal Ripken. Just the sight of him makes you stand a little taller. 10. Gary DiSarcina. He must be pretty valuable. Without him, the Angels grabbed a 50-pound rock and sank to the bottom of the ocean.

Worst Media Showing: As the Yankees sank in August, the New York media couldn't wait to rip Mattingly, completely write him off, and assure readers this would be his last season as a Yankee. Now, with Mattingly and the team surging, they're lining up to pay tribute. Pathetic.

You Said It, Gary Radnich: The A's are "a pretty flat piece of entertainment." And for Tony La Russa, no need for regrets. You gave the prime of your life to this team. Your career cries out for a change.

A Treasure in Waiting: Roberto Alomar, the best second baseman alive, is available to the most attractive bidder.

The Barney Schultz Award: To Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Like Schultz, giving up the big homer to Mantle in '64, or Al Hrabosky, getting lit up by Reggie Jackson in the playoffs, Wakefield is a postseason disaster in waiting. The novelty acts never last.

Pleasant Sights: Ripken taking his victory lap at Camden Yards. . . The ovation at Tiger Stadium for Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker, playing their last home game together after a 18-year partnership. And Mike Mussina, gently stepping off the rubber to let the ovation continue. . . Willie McGee, stroking big hits for the Red Sox. . . Paul O'Neill, jacking one into the porch at Yankee Stadium. . . Mike Bordick, dealing from the hole. . . Gary Gaetti, his fearsome stroke resurrected. . . Griffey, still charging the outfield fences after breaking his wrist that way.

To the Yankees: Nice stretch drive. Your talent deserves the playoff berth. But don't ever go to Steve Howe when it counts. Go to Aunt Bea, or Kato, before this guy.

Bound to Happen: Roger Clemens will come out of a big game too early. It's written all over his postseason history.

Luckiest Man: Orel Hershiser, walking right into the magic in Cleveland.

Luckiest Fans: The ones in Oakland, where the great Mr. Haas presided with such class and dignity. Rest in peace.